Exploring the Unknown - NASA's History Office

EXPLORING THE UNKNOWN 489
[no pagination]
NASA Policy to Enhance Commercial
Investment in Space
It is national policy to effectively apply the resources of the nation to preserve the role
of the United States as a leader in space science and technology and their applications.
With the maturing of the Space Transportation System (STS) to a reliable and operational
status and in light of recent initiatives in space industrialization, it is evident that the dawn
of the era of wide-spread commercial activities in space is at hand. Maintenance of national
leadership in space requires the support and expansion of commercial space activities.
The President’s National Space Policy of July 4, 1982, directs NASA to expand United
States private sector investment and involvement in civil space and space-related activities.
In light of this directive and since substantial portions of the United States technological
base and motivation reside in the United States private sector, NASA will invigorate its
efforts to take necessary and proper actions to promote a climate conducive to expanded
private sector investment and involvement in space by United States domestic concerns.
NASA views its role in the commercialization of space in light of the National
Aeronautics and Space Act of 1958, as amended (Space Act), which establishes NASA as
the agency responsible for the direction of civil “space . . . activities” of the United States.
The legislative history of the Act states that “the term ‘activities’ should be construed
broadly enough to enable the Administration . . . to carry on a wide spectrum of activities
which relate to the successful use of outer space. These activities would include scientific
discovery and research not directly related to travel in outer space but utilizing outer
space, and the development of resources which may be discovered in outer space.”
The Space Act also establishes that space activities will be conducted to make the
“most effective utilization of the scientific and engineering resources of the United States
. . . in order to avoid unnecessary duplication of effort, facilities, and equipment.” NASA
has made large scale use of private industry as contractors in carrying out its activities. It
has provided space launch services for commercial purposes since 1962. Beginning in
1979 it has entered into “partnership” arrangements with private sector firms to enhance
the commercial utilization of space resources. These and other activities carry on and
expand the tradition of NASA’s cooperation with industry and other private sector institutions
which dates back to NASA’s predecessor agency, the National Advisory Committee
[for] Aeronautics.
In light of the Presidential policy of July 4, 1982, NASA will continue and expand its
effort to facilitate private sector investment in outer space and will encourage commercial
space activities consistent with that policy.
In order to more effectively encourage and facilitate private sector involvement and
investment in civil space and space-related activities, NASA will redirect a portion of its space
research and development activities to assure that its R&D program supports the research,
development and demonstration of space technologies with commercial application.
To further support this objective, NASA will directly involve the private sector in initiatives
which are consistent with NASA program objectives and which support commercial
space activity.
These initiatives may include, but are not limited to: (1) engaging in joint arrangements
with United States domestic concerns to operate on a commercial basis facilities or
services which relieve NASA of an operational responsibility; (2) engaging in joint
arrangements with U.S. domestic concerns to develop facilities or hardware to be used in
conjunction with the STS or other aspects of the U.S. space program; and (3) by entering
into transactions with United States concerns designed to encourage the commercial
exploitation of space.